Suresh Raina Advocates for Hardik Pandya's Backup Ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup
The Need for a Reliable Backup for Hardik Pandya
Suresh Raina, a former Indian cricket star, emphasized the necessity of establishing a backup for all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches. He pointed out the impressive performances of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that Reddy should be given ample opportunities to gain confidence.
Hardik Pandya's Ongoing Injury Challenges
Currently, Pandya is sidelined from the ODI matches against Afghanistan and has also been excluded from the T20I squads for the upcoming tours to Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games scheduled for September. His absence follows a leg strain sustained during training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, which occurred after he dealt with back spasms that caused him to miss four matches for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL. Throughout the IPL season, Pandya struggled with his performance, scoring only 206 runs in 10 innings at an average of 22.88 and a strike rate of 138.25, while taking just four wickets.
Raina's Support for Nitish Kumar Reddy
During a discussion on 'Follow the Blues' on JioStar, Raina praised Nitish's enhanced batting skills and effective bowling during the IPL. He noted that in Pandya's absence, Reddy's value is likely to increase. Raina stated, "Hardik Pandya has faced multiple injury issues, which is concerning. By the time the next ODI World Cup arrives, India needs a dependable backup for him. Nitish Kumar Reddy's development as a player has been remarkable. His batting has become more robust, and he has bowled with impressive pace and control. However, it is crucial for the team management to monitor his workload carefully and gradually integrate him into the role. Once he is fully fit, he should be given consistent opportunities to build his confidence."
Nitish Reddy's Impressive IPL Season
In the current IPL season, Nitish Kumar Reddy has scored 302 runs across 13 innings, averaging 30.20 with a strike rate of 171.59, including a half-century. Additionally, he has taken eight wickets, showcasing his bowling prowess with speeds reaching the late 130s and early 140s, contributing significantly to his team's success.
Upcoming India vs Afghanistan ODI Series
The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan is set to take place on Friday in Dharamsala. The Indian squad for the Afghanistan ODIs includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, and Harsh Dubey.